<p>It’s a two-fold problem. The quality of the student reporting of financial issues has been pretty superficial. This is particularly surprising given than the Economics departments are often the largest majors at many schools, that “investment banker” is a popular career goal, and that college finances have a direct impact on the students.</p>
<p>The other part of the problem is that administrators have been quite happy to take advantage of the student reporters’ lack of knowledge and resulting failure to ask the right questions. It’s not an easy topic. Student reporters cannot be expected to recognize all the BS flags that might be waved in front of them. I would like to think that an honest educator would at least try to give some background to a reporter instead of taking advantage of the fluff questions to mislead the community. I really believe that the colleges who are honest, transparent, and comprehensive in discussing their planning will be the winners here. There’s no hiding. Every college in America is going to make painful cuts.</p>